Swimming during embarkation

[PendingPeril]

Is it even worth bringing swimsuits in a carry-on or does it get too crazy during embarkation? Wanted to let the kids do the mickey slide while we wait for our room to be ready, but if this is what everyone else is doing, we might just take our time touring the ship.

 

[braysmommy]

In all of our cruises when you first board is the time to swim! We go straight to pools and grab a table to hang out at while kid swims and adults take turns getting something to eat. I have many pictures of my son being the only one, or one of few, in pool on embarkation day. Enjoy!

Our thought is there is always food available but rarely an empty pool to swim in

 

[deliela999]

We've only been on one so far, but after all the advice we had our swimsuits in our carry-on. It was a total zoo, busiest I saw the pool and slides. We didn't end up swimming and just wondered around the ship after lunch at Cabanas of course. It was pretty overwhelming that first day anyway, maybe we'll feel different on our next one because it won't be completely new to us. Even roaming the ship was crowded and lots of people dragging suitcases at times making it hard to move around.

 

[Weedy]

Cabins aren’t available until 1:30 and luggage may not be delivered until 4-5:00 so you may want to have the kids wear their bathing suits under their clothes or bring a small bag with bathing suits. If they plan on changing (my kids hated wearing their suits under their clothes) you may want to have them change in the terminal while waiting to board. The restrooms on the pool desk get very crowded with people changing.
Or just look at a deck plan and go up or down a level to find a less crowded restroom

 

[GPaLarry]

If your kids are wearing swim suits under their clothes as they enter the ship, then you can make the call when on board and see what the situation is. You probably need to consider a couple of things when making the decision. First, what time are you boarding? If you arrive late you might be pressed for time to eat, get to your stateroom at 1:30 (when they are usually ready), unpack, get to the safety drill and attend the Sail Away party. I think I would go to the pool when you board, see how much it is being used and then decide. If your cruise is long enough then there might be other times the kids can hit the pool with smaller crowds.

 

[DCLDVC1]

We've only been on one so far, but after all the advice we had our swimsuits in our carry-on. It was a total zoo, busiest I saw the pool and slides.

I've noticed the same thing on our last few cruises so we stopped bringing our suits. The pools don't open until 12 so there are usually a lot of people on board by then, especially if you have a later boarding number.

 

[PendingPeril]

Ok, thanks for the advice everyone! Looks like we'll have our swimsuits and play it by ear

 

[BartmanLA]

One point to make is that after you board until you can get access to your stateroom, activities such as swimming, eating at Cabanas and touring the ship are encouraged. But once the muster drill takes place all passengers have to attend that prior to embarkation. During that time they cover the Goofy Pool with the deck cover in preparation for the Sail Away Party which takes place immediately after the Muster Drill, so there won't be any swimming in that pool during that time (but is allowed in the other pools and water features on board).

 

[BruinEd03]

Is it even worth bringing swimsuits in a carry-on or does it get too crazy during embarkation? Wanted to let the kids do the mickey slide while we wait for our room to be ready, but if this is what everyone else is doing, we might just take our time touring the ship.

Don't just remember the swimsuits - remember a change of dry clothes, too (as their clothes may get wet immediately after they get in the pool). Also, don't forget the flip-flops. While rooms may be available at 1:30 p.m., luggage may not be delivered until dinner time.

 

[kathi]

If you board early - it's a great opportunity to hit the pool. If you board later - it's a festering stew of humanity.

 

[dprincessmom]

We have done two cruises and had boarding group number 6 and 7. Both times, we have gone to book chill spa appointments, eaten at Cabanas and then to the pool deck for the aqua duck. This is the guaranteed time my girls know they will get to ride, so they take advantage and have a blast.

 

[MomOTwins]

As others have said, it's only worth it if you have a low boarding group, and go right away when you get on the ship. An hour after boarding begins, it is more crowded than any other time and stays like that till the muster drill (I blame the online blog "tips" about going as soon as you board). The other tradeoff is that by the time you are done swimming, Cabanas will be a zoo, and I'd rather go there first thing and get a table and food before the crowds than ride the aquaduck or pool first, though if you are okay eating at the pool deck snack bar instead, that could be a good option instead.